Apple’s network can help you keep in harmony with your friends

Step 1 of 7: Intro

Ping is Apple’s social network for music. You can use Ping to share your amazing taste in music with your friends, review tracks and keep an eye on your favourite artists – well, the ones on Ping.

While there are lots of Ping features you can access within iTunes on your Mac or your PC, you can also access Ping using the iTunes app on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, so long as your device runs iOS 4.2 or later.

Using an Apple mobile device, your Ping experience is sliced into three categories: Activities, People and Profiles. You can comment and even auto-tweet every song you enjoy.

This tutorial will help get you started using Ping on your Apple mobile device, whether it’s an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Vital Info

What you need

Ping is Apple’s social network for music. You can use Ping to share your amazing taste in music with your friends, review tracks and keep an eye on your favourite artists – well, the ones on Ping.

While there are lots of Ping features you can access within iTunes on your Mac or your PC, you can also access Ping using the iTunes app on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, so long as your device runs iOS 4.2 or later.

Using an Apple mobile device, your Ping experience is sliced into three categories: Activities, People and Profiles. You can comment and even auto-tweet every song you enjoy.

This tutorial will help get you started using Ping on your Apple mobile device, whether it’s an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Vital Info

What you need

iOS 4.2 or later

Step 2 of 7: Step 1: Create your profile

Before using Ping on your device you’ll need to set up an Apple ID. Your profile page is the place for all your information, and an image. You’ll need to use a computer once to authorise your new profile, and it takes a while for your image to be approved.

Step 3 of 7: Step 2: Ping people

Now click on the People tab at the top of the Ping menu. You’ll see a list of recommended artists and people. Choose some you like, and click the Follow button on each one. You can see more in any category by tapping the See All button.

Step 4 of 7: Step 3: Active minds

Ping will share the music you buy, like or comment on, and will connect you with whatever the people and bands you follow are doing. In the Activity view you can keep up with it all. The View menu lets you filter Activity to just show Artists or People.

Step 5 of 7: Step 4: Artist profiles

When you’re looking at the recommended list, take a look at an artist page, and you’ll be able to explore their Ping profile. Here you can choose to Follow or unfollow an artist, purchase tracks, and comment on and like items in their Ping stream.

Step 6 of 7: Step 5: Stand up and shout

Posting comments is easy: click on a comment button and a dialogue box like this appears. When you tap inside the comments field the iOS keyboard appears. Don’t forget that these comments aren’t private, and people may respond.

Step 7 of 7: Step 6: Inside iTunes

Ping is integrated right inside the iTunes Store. When you’re looking around for music, you can share your thoughts with a witty comment using the Post command. This is a great way to meet people who like the same music as you.